Service Member's Corner

October 2023 Update

At the writing of the October 2023 newsletter, we learned of Gene Moy's passing.  Gene Moy was a member of Cathay Post #186 and was one of the oldest Chinese American World War II veterans.  He passed away at 106 years old.  More information will be shared as we find out about his memorial service from his family.  Our deepest condolences to the Moy Family.


September was another busy month for the post.  We held a short remembrance service to honor all the Prisoners of War (POW) and those still Missing In Action (MIA) at Hing Hay Park.  We pledged to "never forget."  


Later in the month, we installed new officers for the 2023-24 operational year at the Harbor City restaurant and we also participated in the Puget Sound VA Wellness Fair.


We are working hard to plan our first online auction fundraiser.  We are still gathering donations and building the virtual auction platform.  Your help to promote this is much appreciated.


A very special post meeting is planned for October 25, 2023.  USN Commander Wil Painter (Retired) will give a presentation about his father, USN Captain Wilfred "Wild Bill" Painter.  You don’t want to miss this meeting.


Help feed community members in need with our Rice Collection for our local food banks.  


Lastly, we welcome our newest Cathay Post #186 members; Marco San Luis (U.S. Navy) and Ronnie Rivera (U.S. Navy).   Welcome to the Cathay Post #186 family.  


We hope you enjoy this monthly newsletter update.  As always, please tell you friends about us and come check out our potlucks and meetings.


We are "Foo Dogs" - Guardians & Protectors of American Values and Patriotism!


- Adjutant Kent Wong, Cathay Post #186

Veterans Strengthening America


GENE S. MOY  ✯  2017- 2023

U.S. Army - WWII Veteran - Cathay Post #186


Cathay Post #186 member, Gene Moy, passed away on September 27, 2023 at the VA hospital according to the Northwest Asian Weekly. He was one of the oldest Chinese American World War II veterans in America. He was 106 years old.


Gene Moy was a life member of the American Legion. At the time of his passing, Gene Moy had 79 years of continuous membership and still had an active membership with the local Cathay Post #186.


To the Moy Family, On behalf of Cathay Post #186 and all of our members, we offer our sincere sympathies on the death of Gene Moy. Gene was a highly respected member of the American Legion and Cathay Post #186. We honor his military service, his love for his family and his sustained support for the American Legion family.  

“Copyright Chinese American World War II Veterans Washington – The Legacy of Their World War II Service. Permission to reproduce this page granted by the Chinese American Citizens Alliance – Seattle.”


Members of The American Legion Cathay Post #186 raised the U.S. and POW / MIA flags at Hing Hay Park on National POW/MIA Recognition Day on September 15, 2023.   

 

“Unbreaking and unbending in their devotion to duty, our service members have sacrificed everything to keep our people and our democracy safe. While more than 81,000 of these brave service members still remain missing and unaccounted for, they are not — and will never be — forgotten. On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor the devotion and courage of all those missing and unaccounted for, renew our commitments to their families, and promise to never cease in our efforts to bring them home.”

- President Joseph R. Biden Jr. 

National POW / MIA Recognition Day Presidential Proclamation - 2023


We Will Never Forget! 


Cathay Post #186 Installation of Post Officers Ceremony took place on September 9, 2023 at Harbor City Restaurant. 


2023-2024 Officers

The officers were officially installed and sworn in by District 1 Commander, Debra Wood. They solemnly pledged to perform their duties faithfully and impartially. To keep The American Legion faithful to its principles and ideals. 


We also recognized and honored all of our community partners and supporting organizations.  It was a great evening to reflect and celebrate our past year’s accomplishments of “Veterans Strengthening America!” 

Next Cathay Post #186 Meeting:


At our next meeting, Wil Painter, Jr. will tell an extraordinary story about his dad, Captain Wilfred “Wild Bill” Painter, CEC, USNR.  Wil recently gave this briefing at the U.S. Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island.

We became good friends of Wil Painter when he loaned us his vintage jeep for the Seafair Chinatown Parade in July.  He is an amazing person and we appreciate his support of our post.   

Wil's dad, “Wild Bill” worked in China for many years starting in 1929 until 1937.  He also served with the Shanghai Volunteer Corps (SVC) from 1930 to 1937 and was a member of the American Cavalry Troop of the SVC.  Perhaps “Wild Bill” Painter's most daring enterprise was the “Painter Expedition” to China which took place from July to October 1944.

Invite your friends and come hear Wil Painter detail the life of his father, whose adventures and exploits have become the stuff of Navy Seabees lore over the years. 
 

Veterans Strengthening America Auction Update
Our very first online auction to raise funds will take place November 1-13, 2023.  The fundraising team has been busy soliciting donations, collecting donated goods, building the auction platform, writing descriptions for each of the items and much more. 
 

Donating Cash In Memory of a Loved One
Donating to Cathay Post In Memory or In Honor of someone is a great way of honoring the person who has passed on and an excellent way of recognizing their contributions to our Post.

Donations Received:  

Donations Still Accepted

We are still in need of donations items for the auction.  Please click the button below if you like to donate an item for our Veterans Strengthening America Auction.  Or you can make a monetary contribution also.  Thank you.   

Auction Timeline:
Auction Website Goes "Live":  TBD
Donation Collection Deadline:  October 15, 2023
Online Auction Start:  November 1, 2023
Online Auction End:  November 13, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Auction Item Pickup:  November 18, 2023 10:00 am – 12:00 pm and November 19, 2023 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm


 How You Can Help

Select Auction Item Previews 

Our Gratitude For Your Support

We are very grateful for all of our generous donors and donations received so far.  We appreciate your ongoing help with promoting our organization and ensuring that we can continue to "Strengthen America."  Sincerely,

- Cathay Post #186 Auction Committee


Rice Collection

There are many people in our community that experience food insecurity daily.  As an American Legion post who is already doing great things to positively impact our community, we are asking you to consider donating small bags of rice for our local food bank.  This will be our on-going food drive to help feed the hungry.  Any gifts of rice will go directly to the our local area food banks who will, in turn, distribute to community members in need.  We will keep track of how many pounds of rice collected for the next 12 months.  Thank you for feeding the hungry with your generous gift.


"Veterans Strengthening America"  


Puget Sound VA Medical Center Wellness Fair

Enhancing the well-being of America's veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by our devotion to mutual helpfulness is a core value of the American Legion.  Recently, we participated at a veterans outreach event at the Puget Sound VA Medical Center.  We were able to share our mission and vision with many of the veterans that visited our display.  "Veterans Strengthening America."   

Zombie Run:  October 21-11, 2023 

Survivors run for life from zombies through a guided obstacle course!  Also a Doomsday Prepper Resource Fair.  To volunteer, please contact Cathay Post #186 member, Sea Chan, at Win With Warriors.  

 

ACRS Food Bank Helper:  Ongoing High Need  

Help the most revisited food bank in King County serve culturally familiar food to those in need.  The Asian Counseling and Referral Service Food Bank needs help with:  Prepping grocery bags for delivery; Assembling and packaging food; Loading and unloading food into delivery vehicles; Supporting with organization and light cleaning within the facility; (Fridays and Wednesdays) Handing out food to clients.  Volunteer for a 3 hour shift.

 

Wreaths Across America:  December 16, 2023

Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 4,000+ locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad. Anyone who wants to offer a small gesture of gratitude for the freedoms Americans enjoy can volunteer at a wreath laying ceremony to assist in saying veteran names aloud and thanking them for their service.  www.Wreaths Across America.org

 

Costco Chicken Drive:  Christmas 2023 

Donate to Jerry Lee's annual Costco roast chicken drive during Christmas.  Jerry said "it's pretty straight forth...my friends just donate $125 and I buy 25 chickens from Costco. All the donors/volunteers come and hand out the chicken to the recipients at the ACRS food bank...usually about 450-500 roasted chickens."  This annual event started in 2009 when Jerry drove by the ACRS food bank and saw the long lines for food that year.  Jerry Lee is a member of Cathay Post #186. 

These DOD photos are to remind us of all our brave men and women who are serving and training to be at peak combat readiness.  Pictured above is a U.S. Marine Corps officer candidate (Josh Mar) at Quantico, Virginia.   

Veterans Helping Veterans

Free "handyman" help for Cathay Post veterans and widows of former members on minor home repairs.  If you have any minor home repairs needs, please contact us for a free assessment.

We are NOT licensed, bonded or insured experts.  But we are willing to assist with minor installation of home safety devises such as hand rails, grab bars, change high ceiling light bulbs etc.

Please email Adjutant Kent Wong if you have a potential project for our team.  Thanks.    

Veterans Helping Veterans! 


PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS:  See meeting changes in ***RED.  

EVERGREEN BOYS STATE

Please help us promote Evergreen Boys State!  Cathay Post #186 wants to sponsor an Evergreen Boys State delegate.  


The American Legion Evergreen Boys State program provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility. This is accomplished through a mock-government built and led by the students in the program. Through the process, students can earn scholarships, meet new friends and develop new skills.


Evergreen Boys State is held from Sunday, June 16 through Saturday, June 22, 2024 at the Warm Beach Conference Center in Stanwood, Washington.


Cathay Post #186 is excited to sponsor a Evergreen Boys State delegate.  We will select a "rising senior" of the highest quality to ensure a successful Boys State session.   If you know a student that is interested, please tell them to check out the information posted at the Evergreen Boys State website at www.evergreenboysstate.org.  Selection will be managed by our Scholarship Committee.   


SPECIAL ORDER:  Cathay Post #186 Custom-Lettered Cap:  $27.95 Each

Please click the button if you would like to purchase one.  (Deadline: 15 Oct 23)


We Are "Foo Dogs" - Guardians & Protectors!


Cathay Post #186 members are "Guardians and Protectors" of AMERICAN VALUES and PATRIOTISM!  


Which means we advocate for upholding and defending the United States Constitution, equal justice and opportunity for everyone and discrimination against no one, youth education, responsible citizenship and honoring military service by observing and participating in memorial events.

Tax Deductible Donations

"VETERANS STRENGTHENING AMERICA"
Cathay Post #186 is making a positive impact.  Here are a few examples:

You can help us achieve our mission with a tax-deductible donation.

To donate cash, you can send us a check made payable to "American Legion - Cathay Post #186".  If you want your gift used for a specific purpose by indicating that purpose either in the memo line or in a letter to us.

Contact us if you want to add a bequest in your Will.   We can help you include language in your will or trust specifying a gift be made to Cathay Post #186 as part of your estate plan.

Donations to American Legion Cathay Post #186 are Tax Deductible:

If you have any questions about donations, please contact Cathay Post Adjutant, Kent Wong. 


Submit Your Intent to File a Claim

The Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (PACT Act) is the biggest expansion of Veteran health care and benefits in generations. VA encourages all eligible Veterans and survivors to file a claim — or submit their intent to file a claim — for PACT Act-related benefits now. If you notify VA of your intent to file before Aug. 10, 2023, you may be able to get retroactive payments to Aug. 10, 2022, when the PACT Act became law. Learn how to let VA know of your intent to file.  Go to:  https://www.va.gov/resources/your-intent-to-file-a-va-claim/

BE A MEMBER OF CATHAY POST #186 

& THE AMERICAN LEGION


The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation's largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.

The American Legion's success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.


If you have served at least one day of active military duty since

December 7, 1941 and were honorably discharged or you are still serving active military duty honorably, you are eligible for membership with The American Legion.


Come to our meeting and check us out.  If you want to join the Cathay Post #186, please contact Adjutant Kent Wong and he can sign you up.    

Let's make a difference in our Community, State and Nation.    

"Veterans Strengthening America"